Sunday, December 11, 2016

A bomb blast has killed at least 25; it happened near St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in central Cairo on Sunday. The explosion in the Egyptian capital has also left 31 others injured.
The blast occurred in Cairo's Abbassyia district early Sunday morning.The Coptic Church's official spokesperson Rev. Paul Halim says the explosion took place in the small church of St. Peter and St. Paul attached to the cathedral. Two days ago two bombs killed six police officers and a civilian in Giza.
Copts have often faced persecution.
Coptic Christians include 10 percent of Egypt's 80 million residents.

Pope Francis said after reciting the Angelus.

“And we also pray for the victims of some horrible terrorist attacks which have hit various countries in the last few hours,”

“There are several places, but unfortunately, unique is the violence that sows death and destruction. But the response is also unique: Faith in God and unity in human and civil values,” – Pope Francis said – “I would like to express a special closeness to my dear brother Pope Tawadros II [the head of the Coptic Church] and to his community, and I am praying for the dead and the wounded.”